Does the EU live up to its promises on life sciences?

The ongoing revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive is a key opportunity to reduce exposure of Europe's children to advertisements of health-harmful products – an opportunity that should not be missed.

Despite the expanding costs – and waistlines – caused by rising levels of European obesity, little is being done to remedy the epidemic.

New research published in Nature science magazine gives a better picture of the health impact of cars emitting beyond the EU limits.

Health campaigners would encourage kids to drink water instead of fizzy drinks. But the watering down of an EU directive to protect children from sugary food and drink ads was not what they had in mind.

While the health of hundreds of thousands of Europeans' are affected each year by air quality issues, the EU and its member states struggle to implement and comply with legislation that aims to reduce air pollution.

Scientists are aiming to provide a complete picture of the effects of the excess emissions of diesel cars, after they estimated VW's emissions test cheating would lead to 1,200 premature deaths in Europe.

MEPs from all parties have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the rising levels of childhood overweight and obesity. Yet, when the opportunity arises to put declarations into action, the response falls short.

A broad range of medical devices, from stethoscopes to breast implants, will be put under greater scrutiny in the EU after the European Parliament agreed on new rule

The promotion of a circular economy must guarantee European consumers that products made from recovered or recycled materials, including plastics, do not also include recovered or recycled hazardous substances.

By 2030, it is estimated that more than 50 percent of Europeans will be obese. With a lack of public policies and coherent strategies, civil society is often the one trying to find a solution.

Despite ambitious plans and a top political priority to fight childhood obesity, Malta has only managed to halt the rise of obese and overweight children.

Public health is being pushed into the background at EU level, while a cooperative and patient-centred approach could help to achieve a fairer and better healthcare system for European citizens.